Swans seen earlier this week, small pond in Homer Township. Anonymous photographer.

Gold Church

Street Machines Auto Care

Stoltz Of Coudersport

Burdick Technologies

Free Methodist Church of Coudersport

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Auction & Yard Sale Page

Saturday, April 19, 2008

A Crosby man has been charged with assault in connection with an alleged incident Friday at the Old Anchor Inn in Hamlin Township.

State police say 21-year-old William Logue got into a verbal argument with Ashley Logue and Franklin Howard of Bradford, then allegedly threatened Howard with a knife. Both victims sustained minor injuries.

ITHACA, NY -- The RIT women's track and field team is currently in second place after 17 events on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon on the campus of Ithaca College.Danielle Furman (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport) won the javelin throw with a toss of 36.52 meters, just two-hundreths of a second off of her school record set last year.

BREAKING NEWS SATURDAY 4-19-08 11:30 amShinglehouse, Coudersport and Genesee fire departments have responded to a working structure fire in at least one house in Oswayo. The blaze, reported to be at the Miller residence, has two structures involved at this time. A radio report at12:14 pm indicated the fire was under control.

A long-planned fiber optic communication network may be ready to operate in Kane next month.

Steve Zwerin, a Kane resident who works as the senior director for Zito Media Communications of Coudersport, discussed the project Friday at a ceremony at Kane Community Hospital. The ceremony was held to honor State Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren) for her "long proactive support" for the "Next Generation" optical-based telecommunications infrastructure being installed by Zito.

Lines for the system now are being installed along Route 321 from Wilcox to Kane, according to Chris Keagle, senior director of operations of Zito.

The hospital and the Kane Area School District will be the first two Kane facilities linked with the system, which will provide high-speed Internet connections.

"The benefit of this facility will provide for business and job retention and allow new businesses to expand their operations in this area," Zwerin said. The network also will expand emergency management and municipal communications, Zwerin pointed out.

Rapp said she has been involved in fiber optic discussions for 3 1/2 years with area counties.

She said there's been "a lot of talk." She said the McKean County system, including the link to Kane, shows that officials here are "doing it."

"This is exciting to see this project move forward," Rapp said. She is hoping the network can be expanded into other counties in the area.

Rapp praised Kane leaders for "taking the lead and doing it." "I commend all of you for your hard work," she told the 14 leaders at the ceremony at the hospital.

Zwerin said the Zito fiber optic system will provide Kane with "world-class telecommunication capabilities generally available only in large metropolitan cities."

The system will provide a "baseline" to enable homes to connect to the system. However, no plans for home connections have been announced at this time.

Due to the start of the fourth phase of renovations and expansion at Bradford Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Department, patients may experience an increase in waiting time.

During the construction work, the number of examination rooms is being reduced from 13 to 8. The Emergency Department is being nearly doubled in size and reconfigured to improve efficiency.

The final project phase will be completed by early July.

Walk-in patients to the Emergency Department should use the Interstate Parkway entrance and go to the temporary waiting room on the left side of the lobby. Walk-in patients are asked not to use the ambulance entrance.

There will be a chicken and biscuit dinner at the Roulette Fire Hall from non until 6:00 to benefit Mike Hemphill. Cost is $6.00 per person. Take-outs available by calling 544-7762.

April 19

The Little Genesee SDB Church will be hosting a community Prayer walk at 1:30 p.m. Join them and help pray for everyone and everything in the community that we all might have a closer relationship with God. The church is located 8265 Main Street, Little Genesee (across from the post office). There will be a brief intro and then attendees will split up into teams. Some teams will walk and others will be in cars. Those who can’t walk are invited to stay at the church as a support remain praying for the safety and success of the prayer teams. Light Refreshments will follow at the church. For more info see our web site at www.sdbchurch.com or call 585-259-2989.

April 19

The Coudersport Rotary Club’s Annual Auction will be held at the Coudersport Fire Hall beginning with a chicken dinner at 6:30 p.m. Donation, $15.00 each or $25.00 a couple. Price includes the dinner.

April 19

The Chatham Township Fire Department in Little Marsh, Tioga County will have an Italian Dinner from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

April 19

Multiple award-winning bass Jason Hardy, hailed as “enthralling” by the Baltimore Sun, will perform a recital next week at the sponsored by the Marilyn Horne Foundation, will start at 7:30 p.m. o in the Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall. The event, which is free and opento the public, is part of the university’sSpectrum Series. Hardy’s recital, titled “Youth and Love III,” will include works from Richard Strauss, Robert Schumann, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Vaughn Williams and Leonard Bernstein, among others.April 20

The Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530 will serve open breakfasts from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30p.m. at the legion located on Route 44 south. Cost is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children.

April 20

Austin Baseball Association will hold its 3rd Annual Pitch, Hit & Run Competition on at the Gary Williams Memorial Baseball Fields in Austin, PA. Pitch, Hit & Run is a free baseball skills competition for youngsters ages 7-14.Winners will have a chance to advance through four levels of competition with the final competition scheduled to be held at the2008 MLB All Star Game at the Yankee Stadium in New York. Registration will be held from 12 noon to 1:30 pm on April 20th. Sunday, May 4, 2008 has been set for the rain date For more information, contact Annette Simms at 814-647-8568

WFRMThe Rendell Administration yesterday announced the awarding of $12 million in grants to protect natural resources and open space.

The funding comes from DCNR’s Natural Resources Keystone ’93 and Growing Greener I and II programs and includes $150,000 to Potter County to support the Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team and $100,000 for the North Central Greenways and Open Space Plan in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

WFRMState police locally have charged 24 year old Jessica Williams of Galeton with harassment and disorderly conduct for an incident allegedly taking place Tuesday night at the Perma Stone Inn in Pike Township.

Authorities claim that a fight broke out between Williams and 38 year old Tracy Crawford during which Williams shoved and punched Crawford causing minor injuries.

BREAKING NEWS: 3:45 PM----4-18-08State Police and emergency services from Coudersport have just been dispatched to Route 6 by the Catholic Cemetery for a 2 vehicle crash with entrapment and injuries.

WESB News: 04/20/08 - Two Men Hurt in Crash Near Coudersport

Two people were injured in an accident Friday on Route 6 about half a mile west of Coudersport. Police say a van driven by David Burrows of Eldred hit a pickup truck driven by John Wilson of Coudersport as the truck was making a left turn.

Burrows was taken to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, while Wilson was treated at the hospital for moderate injuries.

It's been a day of reading multiple stories on the internet regarding the untimely felony charges filed against 5th District Congressional Candidate Derek Walker for improprieties after he and his girlfriend of 7 years broke up. Derek is accused of going to her apartment and supposedly taking video of her and a younger man in an intimate position and threatening to use it to cause her to lose her job.

From what I can determine, Kathleen Ferry, Derek's ex-girlfriend and her intimate partner must have called police at that time, which was last August and made a complaint. After several months of investigation, which included supoenaing cell phone records for both Ferry and Walker, Clearfield Police finally filed charges in the incident. The Clearfield County District Attorney approved the filing and they were lodged with the District Judge yesterday.

The timing was questioned with Walker a frontrunner in the primary election next Tuesday.The DA says the investigation was just completed and he didn't feel it made a difference that Walker was in the primary. He was just doing his job.

Walker and his ex-girlfriend both issued statements saying that it was all made up and that the authorities should apologize to both of them for filing the charges and spreading rumours about them.

Derek Walker says Matt Shaner is behind it and that it is politically motivated. He claimed Matt went to the DA and pressured him to file charges.

Eartlier this week, before charges were filed, Walker's campaign started a radio, TV and direct mail blitz attacking Matt Shaner for an old incident where Shaner was fined for leaving the scene of a minor accident involving property damage. Shaner reportedly told a reporter, just after he announced his candidacy in January, that he had been drinking, and did not handle the incident well. He admitted it was the biggest mistake of his life.

An article in this week's Potter Leader Enterprise suggested that US Congressman John Peterson had surveyed several candidates and indicated that he wanted the person he endorsed to be willing to wage a negative campaign. Peterson has emphatically denied that, suggesting that he meant a more agressive campaign.

Solomon's words has initiated an on line poll in the upper right margin asking who you think is responsible for the charges against Candidate Derek Walker?

Emails from two other candidates today advised Solomon's words thatJohn Stroup, and Jeff Stroehmann will continue their positive campaigns. Candidate Keith Richardson has indicated the same in his blog on his campaign website.

PS: Derek Walker and Kathleen Ferry just called and told me in a recorded message that Matt Shaner is trying to steal the election by having these charges filed, and that these charges are false.

Wildfires today are keeping area firemen busy. Roulette responded this morning to a wildfire on the Sartwell Creek Road. The fire, about a half mile up, was threatening several structures. Port Allegany units were called to assist.

In Hamlin Township, firemen from two departments are fighting a wildfire on the Bloomster Hollow Road.

To the north in NY, warnings have been issued to exercise extreme caution in outside burning as the conditions are ideal for a fire to get away in high grass or leaves. Residents can be billed if their fire gets away. They may be responsible for the cost of extinguishment.

WESB News: 04/18/08 - Wild Fire in Norwich TownshipNorwich Township fire fighters battled a wild fire near Route 46 Thursday afternoon. Crews were able to limit the wild fire to a quarter of an acre of land. Norwich Township volunteers were on the scene for just 30 minutes

Thursday, April 17, 2008

In light of the nuclear explosion of the two top candidates, it certainly leaves food for thought when Matt Shaner says he didn't have anything to do with Derek Walker's charges.

And supposed anonymous comments caused Derek Walker to unleash a barrage of tv , radio, and direct mail pieces dredging up old news about Matt Shaner.

I interviewed Derek Walker in Coudersport on Saturday and he told me some of his advisers wanted him to go negative, but that he didn't want to. He inferred he wouldn't do it.

On Tuesday I was alerted to an investigative report being done by the award winning reporters at the Potter Leader-Enterprise, who are not afraid to take on anyone if they are in the wrong. On my way to meet with another candidate, I heard the first of the negative commercials on the radio. Later on I saw the commercials on tv as the nuclear war progressed between Matt Shaner and Derek Walker.

Very early Wednesday morning, Don Gilliland, Managing Editor of the Potter Leader-Enterprise in Coudersport, sent this preview of the article to appear in Wednesday's Edition in reference to the 5th District Congressional Race. The article suggests that John Peterson may be behind this negative campaigning that will probably take out the two top contenders. Smart strategy? Maybe. Is Jeff Stroehmann next on the list? Don Writes: "There is also an investigative piece by Kim Hoak and myself (though it appears I forgot to put our byline on it) outlining the allegations that Peterson has been attempting to push the campaign negative in the final two weeks."

This independent reporting backs up and confirms thatdone late last week by Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire.

The clear indication that John Peterson has been looking to push the 5th District campaign towards “The Dark Side” - as several candidates called it - is troubling.

Few congressmen have more solid rural credentials than Peterson. He categorically denies any connection to negativity in the campaign, but we have at least five different sources connected with different campaigns telling us otherwise.

We can say with total confidence that Peterson at the very least has clearly given thought to how negative campaigning against the apparent front-runners will benefit others in the race.

We also have Pennsylvania SenatePresident Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati on the recordsaying, “certainly, through all kinds of sources” hehad spoken to, Peterson “was looking for specificallya candidate that would go out negative against Walkerand Shaner.” Scarnati termed it a “sad, sad, sadlegacy.”

Solomon's words editor James Jones says "If these suspicions are true, and Peterson is behind destroying the political ambitions of these two brightyoung men, it is a travesty of the worst proportions,played out on the voters of the 5th District of PA andone would only wonder who will be the next victim?"

Details of the criminal complaint

The criminal complaint filed today against Clearfield County financial consultant and 5th Congressional District candidate Derek Walker states that Clearfield police were called to 327 E. Market St., Clearfield, for a report of a disturbance.

A woman there told police that she and a male companion had entered her apartment about 2 a.m. and, finding the apartment warm, had left the door open, the complaint states.They had become intimate when they heard Walker say "This video is going to put an end to your job with the school district," according to the affidavit filed by police in support of the charges.

The woman told police they looked over to see a cell phone in Walker's hand, and believed Walker had videotaped them, the affidavit states. Walker then left the apartment, she told police.

She told police she and Walker had dated earlier in the year, and the relationship ended in June. She said she had since taken steps to avoid contact with him.

The responding officer called Walker's cell phone and Walker answered, the affidavit states. During the conversation, Walker admitted he had been in the apartment, saying he'd knocked on the door, intending to smooth things over with the woman. He also admitted observing the woman and her companion together, and saying. "The school district will be disappointed in this." He also noted that the woman's companion was much younger than she.

The officer advised Walker not to have any further contact with the woman and told him that charges were pending, the affidavit states.

The affidavit states that on Oct. 13, the woman and a friend were at a Penn State football game when the woman received a text message from Walker's cell phone that said: "Wow. That move takes balls. How did you end up with my tickets?" The woman also recounted later being approached by, and engaged in conversation with, Walker at a Sons of Italy club, according to the affidavit.

Police applied for a court order for Walker's cell phone, and the records confirm dates of contact mentioned by the woman, according to the affidavit.

Stalking, burglary charges

filed against

Congressional candidate

By Pete Bosak and Mike Joseph

CLEARFIELD — Fifth Congressional District front-runner Derek Walker was charged Thursday with two felonies and four misdemeanors in connection with an incident last August at his former girl friend’s house in Clearfield.

Walker said this morning before the charges were filed that Clearfield County District Attorney William Shaw Jr. had been pressured to file the charges less than a week before the primary election by Walker’s chief rival for the Republcan nomination, State College businessman Matt Shaner.

The criminal complaint, filed in District Judge Richard Ireland’s Clearfield office, charges Walker with burglary and criminal trespass, both felonies, and the misdemeanors criminal attempt, invasion of privacy, disorderly conduct and stalking.

The complaint, filed by Clearfield police Chief Jeffrey Rhone and signed by Shaw, accuses Walker of using his cell phone to videotape a former girlfriend in an intimate moment with another man on Aug. 25, 2007. The complaint also alleges that he had contact with her on two other occasions, despite being told by a police officer on Aug. 25 that he should avoid further contact and that charges were pending.

The charges came just as state Sen. Joe Scarnati of Brockway, Jefferson County, Senate president pro tempore and the state’s most powerful legislator, endorsed Walker.

Walker said his campaign has traced anonymous letters sent to media outlets about the incident to the Shaner campaign. He also said he has not been contacted by police or questioned about the incident in the past "250 days."

A Shaner aide reportedly said Shaner did not initiate the letters or the police investigation.

Walker will be notified of the charges by summons. An arraignment date had not been set as of 1 p.m.

Walker is among 12 candidates -- nine Republicans and three Democrats -- competing for the wide-open 5th Congressional District seat. U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-Pleasantville, is retiring.

The district covers Centre and 16 other counties in Pennsylvania.

Walker and Shaner have both spent in excess of $350,000 of their own money on their campaigns, requiring their opponents to be notificed under terms of the Federal Elections Commission's Millionaire’s Amendment, enacted in 2004.

Coudersport Emergency Services are responding to the report of a 2 vehicle accident in front of E&G Auto on Route 6 just west of Coudersport. Early reports from the scene are denying any injuries and response has been reduced.

WFRMThe arrival of spring has brought about increased activity at the Coudersport Arboretum. Dick Buchanan, a member of the committee reported at Tuesday’s meeting of the Coudersport Area Chamber of Commerce that many projects are already underway or will begin within a few days.

County Commissioner Susan Kefover worked with the Redevelopment Authority to obtain a $10,000 Community Development Block Grant through Sen. Joe Scarnati and Rep. Marty Causer to be used at the park.

Sheetz Corporation recently donated $2,000 toward the arboretum. Buchanan said Names will be placed on a memorial wall soon, shrubs will be added and a path will be put into place following foot flow.

Buchanan invited interested persons to attend the next Arboretum Committee meeting to be held at 5:30 p.m. April 23 at the Depot. He told the group, the project is designed to be on-going with improvements being made each season.

Former Foster Township police officer Todd McClain was found innocent Wednesday of making false reports to law enforcement authorities.

A jury returned the not guilty verdict after two hours and a half of deliberation.

In 2006, McClain reported that four long guns were stolen from his truck and after reporting the theft McClain sold a number of guns to McKean County E-Sales.

A police investigation tried to show that those were the same guns but the jury determined otherwise. McClain is no longer an officer with the Foster Township Police Department and has filed a federal lawsuit regarding his dismissal.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

ALFRED - One of the Southern Tier’s most successful businessmen is predicting an oil boom in the region thanks to emerging technologies.

Lance T. Shaner, a native of Bolivar and a graduate of Alfred University, returned to his alma matter on Tuesday to deliver the ninth annual CUTCO Foundation Lecture on Entrepreneurial Leadership.

Mr. Shaner’s first major business ventures began in Bolivar after he graduated from Alfred University with a degree in history. He and his brother, Fred Shaner, began the Shaner Development Corp., entering the real estate, hospitality, and cable industries.

Politics As Usual

April 15, 2008

Everyone who knows politics assured me it would happen. I thought they might be wrong this time. I thought this race might be different. But I was wrong. Today marked the official beginning of “politics as usual season.”

I spent the afternoon on the phone with reporters seeking comments on two situations. One involved the politics of securing the incumbent’s endorsement. The other was the first seriously negative TV and radio ads.

Here’s why I thought this time might be different. First, I was promised that it was so. These candidates made an open show that they had “a handshake agreement not to go negative.”

Oh well, so much for campaign promises, huh? After all, if a candidate can’t keep his word even through the campaign, how can he be trusted to keep a single campaign promise?

But there’s another reason that I thought this race might be different, a reason that harkens back to the Cold War between the US and the USSR. It’s called “mutually assured destruction” or “MAD” for short. The idea during the Cold War was that neither side would launch a nuclear attack, because doing so would guarantee a response and escalate into all-out nuclear war in which everyone lost.

The same principles apply here. Now that the first wave of negative ads is out, you know what comes next, right? The nuclear response. Charges and countercharges, innuendo and rumor, mudslinging and … well, you know.

I will tell you what I told the reporters. This is the filthy side of politics we all hate. We have built this campaign on personal integrity and putting principle over politics. If voters are as sick to death of politics as usual, as I am, then they have a legitimate option on April 22. They can vote for the one candidate who refused to get in the gutter from day one.

We’ll keep it clean. We’ll deserve to win. That way, people will know that I will serve in exactly the same way we’ve campaigned – with dignity and honor.

I hope you’ll sign up now so that in the closing days of this race, you can take an active part in a campaign you can be proud of.

Emergency crews spent about an hour at the scene of an accident on South Avenue in front of the Holiday House. At about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, two vehicles collided head-on injuring occupants of the vehicles.

Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene. We'll have more information as it becomes available.

Stop the Negative Ads

April 16, 2008

Throughout this campaign for Congress, I have not only witnessed but taken part in a civil discourse that made me proud to be one of the candidates. I had been warned by those who know politics better than myself that this issue-oriented focus would shift in the days leading up to the primary vote, and that I could expect negative campaigning. I responded to those who made such predictions that I thought they were wrong this time.

It seems I was wrong. In recent days, I have seen and heard a barrage of negative ads that leave me profoundly saddened and personally disappointed. These ads are poisonous. Those who aspire to a seat in Congress, to become one of a small band privileged to help shape the direction and the moral climate of our society, should never stoop to such depths.

I had made my assumption that this campaign would stay clean based on two factors. First, I had been assured of this by the candidates themselves. I was specifically told that there had been a “handshake agreement” that no candidate would launch a negative campaign against another. I find it disconcerting that such a promise could not survive even the modest pressure of a primary campaign.

Perhaps more importantly, I have come to know these candidates. They seemed amiable. They come from well-respected families. They conducted themselves in such a way that I sincerely believed them to be above this kind of maneuvering and personal mudslinging.

With almost a week left in this primary race, I want to urge the candidates who are airing these harsh and demeaning ads to stop. I am asking that they withdraw these ads immediately. Morally, these ads are beneath the dignity of the office to which we each aspire. And politically, these ads represent the ugliest side of politics—the politics of fear, the politics of personal destruction—which we have all come to dread and despise.

To my fellow candidates, I would remind you that you have conducted yourselves with honor for the past three months. It’s not too late to return to that dignity. It would be sad and shameful for a race that began on the high road to end in the gutter.

WFRMThe Potter County Commissioners were expected to receive a final report today from LaBella and Associates, the architectural firm they hired to examine the space available in the Gunzburger Annex, the former Adelphia School Building.

After closing it’s Coudersport operations, Time-Warner deeded the building to Potter County prior to the current board of commissioners taking office.

The previous board had accepted the building with the apparent intention of locating county and human services offices in the Main Street location.

However, when questioned by WFRM at some meetings earlier this year, the new board seemed to back away from the plan but said they would wait for a report from the architects.

Chairman Doug Morley told WFRM earlier this week, that despite rumors, no plans had been made about usage until the board had a chance to review the recommendations.

Russell E. Schleiden, of Centre Hall, Centre County, currently represents District 3. His term expires in November.Commissioners serve eight-year terms without compensation. They receive travel reimbursement and are not eligible for reappointment.

Seton Hill student's project raises suicide awareness

As part of their mandatory senior project, 16 Seton Hill University students in Dr. David Droppa's honors class dreamed up a masquerade ball fundraiser they will host Saturday at Giannilli's II in Unity.

And the beneficiary is particularly close to one student's heart.

Erikka Long, 22, a psychology major from Coudersport in Potter County has been involved with the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program for five years. The suicide of her former boyfriend, and the loss by suicide of several other friends in her home community, led to her planning a fundraising dance as her high school service project.

So when her Seton Hill peers were debating a cause for this weekend's event, she suggested the Yellow Ribbon program to her integrative seminar class.

"I've been a survivor of suicide for five years," Long said. "I think this is a great cause.

"So many college students are affected by it," she said. "It's something every college campus faces."

For that reason, the students hope Saturday's event will attract partygoers in the 18 to 25 age range.

"That's the age group right now that's really losing a lot (to suicide)," Long said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the third-leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds. The centers' statistics show suicide accounts for 13 percent of all deaths annually in that age group.

Overall, 2005 statistics show, more than 32,000 suicides occurred in the United States among all age groups, the equivalent of 89 suicides per day.

"We want to get it out there because not enough people talk about it," Long said.

She said Potter County Judge John Leete, who is active with that county's chapter of the Yellow Ribbon program, will be the keynote speaker Saturday.

According to Droppa, the senior projects must embrace social responsibility and teach students workplace skills, including teamwork.

"I encourage them to think big and bold and take risks," he said.

"Most of (the projects) are more modest than this one," Droppa said. "This is a group of very smart students. They came up with an 'off the hill' project to raise awareness about the issue of suicide."

After the ball, the students will write individual overviews about what they learned from the project and what they are taking from it, Droppa said. The paper counts for 20 percent of their grade.

The students have been holding candy, bake and raffle sales to raise money to pay for the event, Long said. And they have received donations from area businesses and university organizations.

"We welcome any donations at this point," Long said.

The students hope to raise at least several hundred dollars for the Yellow Ribbon program after paying all costs associated with the ball.

Tickets cost $12 for the dance and $18 for the dinner-dance, and include a mask, Long said.

BREAKING NEWS: 10:30 AM---4-16-08Coudersport and Genesee Fire Departments are being responded to the scene of a wildfire on the Peet Brook Road in Genesee Township. Coudersport was recalled at10:35 am.

"Solomon's words" was tipped off late yesterday that the Potter Leader Enterprise was preparing to break an important article in Wednesday's edition concerning allegations regarding the conduct of the 5th District Primary Congressional Race.

We contacted Donald Gilliland, Managing Editor of the Enterprisefor a preview of today's edition. After working late into thenight last night getting the edition ready to go to the printer, here's what Don wrote very early this morning:

We're publishing an 8-page voters guide - all text, no advertising!

The primary focus of it will be the 5th District race with four pages of easy-to-read comparative issue statements drawn and edited from the candidates' own web pages.

We are also re-running the feature stories we published on the candidates who actually bothered to visit Potter County.

We also feature the two big local endorsements: John Peterson for Thompson (local because they were both here today broadcasting it) and the Morley/Heimel Republican Potter County Commissioner endorsement of Stroehmann.

There is also an investigative piece by Kim Hoak and myself (though it appears I forgot to put our byline on it) outlining the allegations that Peterson has been attempting to push the campaign negative in the final two weeks.

This independent reporting backs up and confirms that done late last week by Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire.

We also have a full page of Democratic Presidential campaign information, including both Obama’s and Clinton’s position on rural issues.

In the regular paper, we have a front page feature package on the Ron Paul rally at PennState on Friday as well as a feature story on the hobby of collecting campaign buttons.

The clear indication that John Peterson has been looking to push the 5th District campaign towards “The Dark Side” - as several candidates called it - is troubling.

Few congressmen have more solid rural credentials than Peterson. He categorically denies any connection to negativity in the campaign, but we have at least five different sources connected with different campaigns telling us otherwise.

We can say with total confidence that Peterson at the very least has clearly given thought to how negative campaigning against the apparent front-runners will benefit others in the race.

We also have Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati on the record saying, “certainly, through all kinds of sources” he had spoken to, Peterson “was looking for specifically a candidate that would go out negative against Walker and Shaner.” Scarnati termed it a “sad, sad, sad legacy.”

Get the full story today in the Potter Leader-Enterpriseprint edition.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

By James Jones---shurfine40@gmail.comMy day started out normally. Coffee and salt rising toast. I waited for my wonderful wife to finish using the computer before she left for work.

I signed in and started to go through the daily news sources to see what's new in Potter County today. Today was pretty quiet, nothing too exciting.

I figured I'd get the chickens fed and watered and maybe get to do some work on the addition to my house that I started 3 or 4 years ago. My wife is getting impatient to get some of it finished so she can use it.

And then the phone rang. It was a representative of one of the 5th District Congressional campaigns. He had read some of the comments on "Solomon's words" about his candidate. He cited some inaccuracies in the comments. As the author was anonymous, I had to agree that disparaging remarks about candidates at this stage of the campaign could be damaging and too late for a candidate to repair potential damage.

I made a decision to suspend comments from the blog until after the primary and spent the next hour deleting comments from the main pages by hand, both for and against. I felt these candidates had spent way too much money and time and effort to be taken down by Mr. & Mrs. Anonymous who were either another candidate or someone who didn't have a nickel invested.

I no more than got that done and resumed checking the internet for news than the phone rang again. This time it was a friend who was giving me the heads up on the latest events of the campaign.

It seems the campaign had gone dirty. Allegations were flying all over the place and a news source was preparing an article dealing with those allegations.

I had to run to Port Allegany for a few minutes to help a friend and when I got back, the phone was ringing again. It was one of the campaigners thanking me for the decision I had made about the comments and telling me that his candidate wanted to meet with me.

On the way to meet him, I heard the first radio spot on WFRM. It was Derek Walker, that I met with on Saturday, assailing Matt Shaner for an incident from some years ago like it happened yesterday. Excuse me, but that is OLD NEWS. Solomon's words had that story a couple of days after Matt Shaner announced his candidacy way back in January. It was an old story then when the Associated Press rehashed it all over the state in all of the mainstream newspapers and web sites.

I met with the candidate and got filled in on some of the behind the scenes stuff going on and he thanked me for what I had done with the anonymous comments. I got the impression that this race, with 9 really talented candidates was ready to break wide open with some really nasty campaigning in the final days.

This evenings channel 6 news confirmed that with an advertisement with a mug shot of Matt Shaner, and accusations of the OLD NEWS on the TV screen, paid for and approved by Derek Walker.

I had met with Derek Walker last Saturday and was impressed that he was a nice young fella, only 32, who had started his own business and so far done well for himself. We discussed the campaign in the interview. Derek talked about some of the things going on in the underground of the campaign. He told me that his campaign advisers wanted him to go negative. He asked me what I thought, and I told him I thought it would cause him more harm than good. He agreed and said he really didn't want to do that.

I don't know what happened in those few short days to make him change his mind. I didn't really think that he was going to do it. Obviously the material was already produced and ready to go if needed. I guess the reasons will come out in the days to come.

It's a shame in the last days of the primary campaign, that we have to be distracted by OLD NEWS. News sources have done a great job of bringing the candidates platforms and qualifications to the voting public so that even the candidates with limited finances could reach the public.

I would rather be writing about what a nice guy Derek Walker is than spending my time reporting this story. I am sure it will sell newspapers, but Solomon's words is FREE.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the voter's jury. Can you disregard the dirty politics and make an intelligent decision? Stay tuned! I'm sure there's more coming!

Senator Arlen Specter today announced that he has been diagnosed with an early recurrence of Hodgkin’s disease. Hodgkin’s disease is a cancer of the lymph system.

Senator Specter’s recurrence was diagnosed based on a routine follow-up PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) which showed small lymph nodes in his chest and abdomen. A follow-up biopsy of one of the chest lymph nodes was positive for recurrence. A bone marrow biopsy was negative.

Senator Specter has had no symptoms of Hodgkin’s disease aside from the PET scan findings. Based on the location of the recurrence and the absence of symptoms, his lymphoma is considered stage IIIA. This is significantly less advanced than his Hodgkin’s disease when it was originally diagnosed in 2005, when it was stage IVB.

At that time, he was treated with 6 months of ABVD chemotherapy, and obtained a complete remission which lasted 3 years. Senator Specter will now receive the Stanford V protocol of chemotherapy weekly over the next 12 weeks.

It is expected that Senator Specter will continue to perform all the duties of his office as well as his activities associated with his candidacy for re-election.

A $10,000 reward is now being offered to anyone who provides information leading to the whereabouts of Joey Lynn Offutt, the Sykesville woman who has been missing since a fire destroyed her home on July 12, 2007.

After the fire was put out, the remains of a baby believed to be Offutt's 6-week-old son were discovered. Her car was found 4 days later in State College.

State police have no substantial leads in the case, and Offutt's family is hoping the reward will lead someone with information to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-877-440-JOEY or state police at 814-371-4652.

Tickets are now available for the 22nd annual Dinner/Theater sponsored by the Business and Professional Women's Club of Galeton at 6:00 p.m. at the Galeton Area High School gymnasium and will include a buffet dinner provided by Ed-u-caterer's of Galeton and the musical entertainment for the evening's concert will the acoustical trio, Jakob's Hollow.

Ticket price is $20.00 with proceeds going into various BPW community projects as well as the Elinor A. Martin Education Fund, which provides both scholarship and education loan money to Galeton senior girls and area women looking to gain or improve their current job skills through continued education.

Galeton BPW also has provided scholarship money to the Potter County Education Council Leadership program and funding for the children's summer reading program at the Galeton Public Library.

Jakob's Hollow is an extremely talented trio of Potter County musicians who have performed at the Songwriter's Roundtable at Denton Hill State Park, the Music and Stars programs at Cherry Springs State Park as well as the Austin Dam Show. The trio is made up of Steve Quelet, Eppie Bailey and Judy Shunk and their acoustical style of music blends folk, country and rock to make for a great toe-tapping, joyous experience for the audience.

The concert will follow a buffet style dinner of roast top round of beef, stuffed chicken breast with apple glaze, mashed potatoes and baked sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, tossed salad and a variety of desserts provided by Galeton's own Ed-u-caterer's.

Tickets are available from any Galeton BPW member, at Galeton Drug on West Street, Richar Insurance and Finance on Germania Street, Delores Potter Beauty Parlor on Main Street, or by calling Maxine Harrison at (814) 435-2518 or Barbara Welfling at (814) 435-6616.

The Genesee Headwaters Watershed Association will meet at 6:00 p.m. at First Citizens Bank in Genesee. A visit will be made to the Reed and Venetter sites to review this summers’ bank/habitat projects. Members will also discuss the last phase of construction at the Rod Easton site scheduled for this June and other upcoming projects.

WFRMDUI and drug law violation charges are being filed against 47 year old Douglas Phillips of Olean after troopers locally came upon his truck early Sunday morning on Route 6 a half mile west of West Main Street in Roulette Township.

Troopers said Phillips was behind the wheel of his Chevy Silverado when it got stuck in the mud along the south berm.

He was taken to Charles Cole Hospital for chemical testing and authorities allegedly found suspected marijuana in his jacket

WFRM Sometime between 1:00 and 10:00 a.m. Sunday, a northbound vehicle went off of the First Fork Road in Sylvania Township and stuck two steel posts with reflectors and a pine tree on property owned by Blaine Miller of Austin.

And an unknown vehicle damaged the drivers side rear quarter panel and taillight on a 2004 Pewter-colored Chevy Silverado owned by James Czepiel of Austin while it was parked in the lot of the Old Tannery Inn in Sylvania Township.

BREAKING NEWS: 5th DISTRICT RACESolomon's words, upon being contacted by one of the campaigns for the 5th Congressional District, pointing out potentially damaging inaccuracies in anonymous comments, has decided to disable the comment section in Solomon's words until after the election.

Behind the scenes sources are reporting incidences of negative and unsubstantiated campaigning. All of these candidates have put their life, soul and money into this campaign, and don't deserve to be taken out of the running because of comments by someone not willing to sign their name to them.

In this last week of the primary campaign, if someone wants to negatively affect a candidate's campaign by using the comment section, they will have to do it somewhere else.

WESB News: 04/15/08 - Today is Tax DayToday is the tax deadline. You have to file your taxes by midnight, or have them post-marked and in the mail by Tuesday. If you can't do that, you can file for a six month extension. But you will put off getting your refund, and if you owe you still have to pay now.

State Police are investigating the theft of fishing items from an SUV parked in the Cross Fork Inn parking lot in Stewardson Friday night.

Police say someone stole several fly rod fishing poles and reels from a vehicle owned by David Kephart of Portage. The value of the stolen fishing items were listed at $2,663 dollars. There was also $800 dollars damage to Kephart’s SUV.

I do not know where you find all the news but you do and I always find something of interest. I check you out several times a day because you never know what you have dug up in just a few minutes. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Rural Transportation Planning Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. in the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission’s Office located at 651 Montmorenci Road in Ridgeway, PA. Contact Amy Kessler with any questions for special needs for the meeting at 814-773-3162.

April 15

The Coudersport Area Chamber of Commerce will meet at noon at the Hotel Crittenden. A buffet lunch is available for $6.00 plus beverage, tax and tip.

April 15

The Genesee Headwaters Watershed Association will meet at 6:00 p.m. at First Citizens Bank in Genesee. A visit will be made to the Reed and Venetter sites to review this summers’ bank/habitat projects. Members will also discuss the last phase of construction at the Rod Easton site scheduled for this June and other upcoming projects.

WFRM In recent Potter County Court action, 21 year old Jeff Myers of Coudersport was sentenced for DUI, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, and speeding.

Judge John Leete ordered Myers to spend three to 23-/2 months in jail; perform 50 hours of community service and pay a $525 fine.

According to Potter County DA Dawn Fink, Myers was arrested last May 17 by Coudersport police who heard a loud crash on South Main as they were leaving the police station. Arriving on the scene, officers found Myers was behind the wheel of a vehicle which had struck a utility pole.

He exhibited signs of being under the influence and they found a gun, a large plastic bag containing a substantial amount of marijuana, pill bottle containing $259 in cash, a plastic baggie containing 12 live rounds for the gun, a box of sandwich bags, pipe cleaner, a screen for a pipe, roach clip and loose marijuana stems and seeds.

Three people – including a police officer – had to have medical treatment after a fire this morning on Whitney Avenue in Olean.

The fire was the third in less than 24 hours in the city, and investigators say at least the first two were the work of an arsonist. They say the buildings on Second Avenue that were set on fire were vacant with no power.

During this morning's fire, Olean Police Patrolman Andrew Langdon helped rescue two of the residents from the second floor of the burning building. Langdon injured his foot, but still went to a nearby house and evacuated more people. The first two people Langdon rescued were treated for smoke inhalation.

Police are hoping this morning's fire is not linked to the first two. Evidence from all three fires has been sent to the New York State Police Crime Lab.

For the nationwide celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Drake Well and the birth of the Petroleum Industry, Oil150 is asking to help spread the by using the Oil150 logo. Many have already started using it. The Drake Well Museum in Titusville has it on their website and printed brochures and plans to put it on labels of souvenir bottles of crude oil. American Refining Group is also using the logo. Anyone who would like to use the logo can go to Oil150.com for more information.

Obama lashes out at Clinton after 'bitter' weekendBETH FOUHYSTEELTON, Pa. - Accused of being elitist, a defiant Sen. Barack Obama lashed out at rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, saying "Shame on her" and mocking her vocal support for gun rights as their political tempest threatened to consume the Democratic presidential race.Click the link to read this Associated Press article in the Philly Burbs website.

Anonymous said...

i believe this is more like trying to cover your tracks. it was on cnn and msn news this comment was also made when obama thought he was off camera. just check he is for very strong gun control. do your research before you cast your vote on April 22

Sun GazetteFORKSVILLE — More than a dozen people were taken to area hospitals late Sunday afternoon after they became ill from eating skunk cabbage, according to borough Fire Chief Randy Rosbach.

“A total of 14 people, ranging from children to those in their 60s, were transported from the scene, including at least one who was flown to Geisinger Medical Center (Danville) because he had previous medical problems,” Rosbach said.

Wellsville Police are investigating a report that a man tried to get a young female into his vehicle after asking for her for directions Saturday. The girl told police that the older man was driving a bright orange Ford explorer.

Wellsville Police are asking the public for information on the possible crime.

A Johnsonburg boy died in a two vehicle accident early Saturday morning on Interstate 80.

State Police say that 17 year-old Robert Reeves died when he was ejected from the vehicle as it went down an embankment in Clarion Township. A second man in the vehicle 20 year-old Justin Bauer was flown to UPMC in Pittsburgh.

The driver of the second vehicle wasn’t hurt. The Bauer-Reeves car sideswiped the other vehicle while it was passing it on the interstate.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

1490 News Blog-

Senator Mary Jo White (R 21st) today announced that she is supporting Clarion mayor, John Stroup, for the Congressional vacancy created by the retirement of Congressman John Peterson.

White said "While I do not normally endorse candidates in a primary, the large field of candidates and the short time available for them to get out their message makes this a difficult primary for candidates and voters." She noted that it is particularly difficult for candidates without private resources.

"John Stroup has the maturity, the background and the passion to be an excellent congressman," said White. "He has an MBA and his experience in defense contracting, and in health care policy through his position on the Clarion Hospital Foundation, means that he will have a short learning curve on issues important to the district."

White noted that Stroup organized a multi-county coalition to defeat the plan to toll I-80 long before there was any indication that there would be a congressional vacancy. "John Stroup is running for all the right reasons", she said, "and I hope the voters will give him a close look."

Editor's note: On March 25th, Pennsylvania State Representative Fred McIlhattan (R-63rd) also endorsed John Stroup, candidate for the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District in Congress.

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